The idea
Coleshill has Roman history, a Doomsday Book reference, a market charter granted by King John and coaching town and highwayman folklore. However, it is a town often travelled through rather than visited by the tourist.
Something of an interest that depicts the town (a smaller scale equivalent to the Birmingham Bull, the Banbury Cross or the Coventry Godiva statue) will encourage the visitor to stop and look and allow more footfall and trade in the town as a result.
The location has already been found: some disused public ground on the High Street (former toilets). The design of the artwork needs to be agreed as a result of consultation with residents, local businesses and authorities. That is so to find a Coleshill artistic representation that "everyone relates" to (hence the CASPER initials.
The North Warwickshire Borough Council has indicated that it could potentially arrange the use of the public space and some initial financial support.
What we'll deliver
- We will consult on the design of the art piece as something distinctive that most people can relate to.
- We will design, commission and construct the art piece, after the consulation.
- We will insure the appropriate recognition is given to businesses, authorities and other bodies who have assisted.
Why it's a great idea
Coleshill has Roman history, a Doomsday Book reference, a market charter granted by King John and coaching town and highwayman folklore but does not shout out to neighbouring town residents or create anything that gives a unique identity.
A distinctive art piece could be a talking point, a tourist draw, a pleasant area to sit by and a reason to stay in the town for longer. The subject of the artistic representation could help the town have a stronger identity in the eyes of its residents, those of the surrounding towns and villages. It could help the town make a modern statement rather than being only known by some for what it used to be (i.e. former coaching town that many travellers passed through on the way to somewhere else).
Steps to get it done
- Consultation on what the art piece should depict
- Agree outline budget, including size, scale, materials
- Commission an artist to produce a prototype
- Consultation on how the art piece might change from original design
- Agree budget for art piece commission, including size, scale, materials
- Commission an artist to produce the agreed design
- Installation of the finished work
- Promotion of the finished work to appropriate agencies and groups
To start an art space project with no pre-determined end design will encourage local authorities, schools, businesses and the media to all feel that they can contribute to that design. The selected design would achieve the "Everyone Respects" ideal by young and old to feel they are part of the project.
As well as encouraging the above, an arts space would give the residents of Coleshill a modern day pride in its town, an iconic representation of its sense of being that could be depicted alongside the Cole Bridge, the pillories and the Parish Church, together with its spire.
There are thriving industrial businesses in the retail parks to the north of the Cole Bridge but these are rearely seen to have much association with the High Street and south town apart from the B46 postcode. A through and wide-reaching consultation which included the retail park businesses could offer the opportunity for business leaders to get involved in project participation, design and sponsorship.
